Ever have fire wood stolen?
- Thread starter Rob711
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The concept of putting a booby trap in firewood definitely feels satisfying in a frontier justice world but these days in most jurisdictions it could lead to charges and litigation against the one that built the booby trap. The scenario comes to mind that the wood is stolen by a husband or third party and then some unknowing wife or child throws the log in a stove where it goes off possibly blowing the stack pipe off the stove or the door off the hinges potentially burning the house down or injuring the wife or child. I don't think a stand your ground law will apply in this case. Plenty of lawyers would be willing to pick up this type of litigation on contingency. If someone steals the wood and drops it on their toe they cant sue, but once someone deliberately installs a booby trap all bets are off. Sure folks may do it and get away with it but even if it cant be proven, the person putting the booby trap spends a lot of time and money hiring a lawyer. Homeowners would not cover the boobytrapper as that's a deliberate act. Good way to lose a lot of assets.
Far better to put in a few cameras or make the wood more secure in a shed or behind a fence.
Far better to put in a few cameras or make the wood more secure in a shed or behind a fence.
Absolutely.
Also, worth remembering that they know where you live but you do not know where they live.
Made me think of the watermelon patch cannon I saw as a kid. The Olin firearms museum used to be in New haven. CT when I was a kid. The collection was donated to the Cody Firearms Museum at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West in WY.
The gun was placed in the center of your watermelon patch, and you ran trip wires to the corners of the patch. It was filled with rock salt, and the barrel swung around and sprayed the area where a wire was tripped. Neat!
https://centerofthewest.org/2015/06/03/treasures-from-our-west-watermelon-patch-gun/
The gun was placed in the center of your watermelon patch, and you ran trip wires to the corners of the patch. It was filled with rock salt, and the barrel swung around and sprayed the area where a wire was tripped. Neat!
https://centerofthewest.org/2015/06/03/treasures-from-our-west-watermelon-patch-gun/
Also made me think of the woman in CT during a power outage last fall that went to the basement to get a candle left by the previous homeowners. They were quarter sticks of dynamite, and she blew the fingers off her hand.
https://www.ctpost.com/local/article/Bridgeport-PD-Something-exploded-in-13211157.php
Woody5506
Minister of Fire
I remember this discussion on this board a while back. I'm still standing pretty firm that although I wouldn't booby trap firewood, I really never would imagine a lawsuit coming from it out of these hypothetical scenarios. Way too many reasons to argue someone's stove could blow up, and the idea of someone having to prove firewood they stole was booby trapped seems absolutely impossible to me, not to mention the alleged booby trapper could just as easily deny it ever came from his property. Better yet, if it was stolen and the owner wasn't even aware of that, how would the plaintiff prove it was stolen?? Seems extremely silly to me.
Better question....HAS a situation like this ever occurred followed by a lawsuit??
Better question....HAS a situation like this ever occurred followed by a lawsuit??
This topic came up last year as I recall. A few years back I have a neighbor who tunneled under my fence and was intermittently and incrementally taking splits from my main stacks in the back. When I finally noticed my pile shrinking, I installed a wireless remote camera on the nearby shed. After about a week of reviewing videos, I was shocked to see my neighbor of many years rising from the ground after swinging open a skillfully constructed camouflaged hatch. I must have walked by and over it many in the past. Just blew my mind. A few days after my discovery, I entered the tunnel when I was certain he and his wife were away. It was an amazingly elaborate complex he had devised with a wagon/rail system to move the wood. I imploded the tunnel with some military C4 I had lying around the basement. My wood stack remains stable after that. I don’t know if he thinks it just collapsed or if he is wise to me but just too embarrassed to say anything. The misses and I still play pinochle every other Tuesday night with them and they never mentioned a word about the tunnel, or the huge crater in their back yard. Good neighbors despite the wood pilfering episode.
jatoxico
Minister of Fire
Oh no.. you got me started.........How about when you ask someone over and over if they need help cutting firewood, and they always say no. Nah, I'm gonna use gas heat. Nah, I'm just going to use my heat pump. Nah, not right now, my back hurts. Nah not right now, my saw is in pawn and I don't have no way to get it out.. bla,,,bla.. bla.. bla.. bla.............. all spring, summer, and fall.... but soon as the snow starts flying... its...... "can I come get some wood, is getting cold"... sometimes I give in.. sometimes not.. they already sold 120 acres of large walnut, cherry, oak, etc.... I'm like. You had a life time supply of firewood, sold it all for drugs, and now you coming here to bum firewood?.... um .. ok....
Woody5506
Minister of Fire
This may be one of the craziest stories I've ever heard on this board. Are you guys preppers or what?
? What’s in the attic?No preppy here. Just a hard working, wood chopping son of a machinist. Actually spent a lot of time in college having earned three degrees, but never fit in with the preppy crowd. I was more of an outsider loner, the tall, quiet rugged type that men avoided and women were attracted to. Still follow that same solem road with the misses by my side. We cut, chop, burn, shoot and blow stuff up together. The C4 is used for woodchuck infestations, large stumps, and intrusive tunnels on occasions. Never keep any type of explosive or volatile compounds in your attic. It is too hot with rapid temperature swings which cause breakdown and instability. Keep a close eye on you wood piles my friend.
vwmike
Feeling the Heat
Great stories on here so far ! I’ve only ever had firewood stolen when out camping in the summer time at a typical crowded park.
For several years I've sold bundles of campfire wood in front of my house on a main state highway. I think only 2-3 times I've had bundles missing. I have a " milk door " on my garage with a sign to place money in there for when I'm not home. I have a large Six Flags park in the area so it's mostly younger folks camping as the park has concerts frequently during the summer. Was always nice to come home and notice several bundles missing and check the " milk door " and sure enough there's $10-15 in there.
Grizzerbear
Minister of Fire
Never had wood stole...that I kno of. Had 7 round bales stole this summer tho before I caught the guy. He was just pulling up in hay lot and loading a bale with dew eze every night. I stayed out and caught him one night and got license number. With bad drought this summer making round bales 100 a piece a man cant afford that. He was a local meth head selling them I guess
I've "donated" wood often at my camper that is permanently set up in a campground. I leave wood stacked under the camper edge nearest my fire ring. Always take a picture of it when I leave. Many times I have a smaller pile when I return! No huge deal. Many of the scroungers are actually our partners in crime! They will bring over cold ones and let me know they dipped into my stash. Its all uglies from home that need to go anyway. Paid for in beer and food!
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